Method and apparatus for tightening skin and other tissues

Abstract

A system and method for treating a tissue is provided. The treatment causes a tightening or lifting of tissue. The method includes delivering a photochemical agent through a depth of the tissue to distribute the photochemical agent adjacent proteins within the tissue and irradiating the tissue with an electromagnetic irradiation at a wavelength that activates the photochemical agent, causing a protein response that brings fibers of the tissue closer together in order to one of reduce tissue laxity and tighten the tissue. A kit is provided to facilitate the method.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A kit for treating tissue and for use with an electromagnetic radiation source, the kit comprising:
 a needle sized to create puncture holes in the tissue; and 
 a photochemical agent configured to penetrate through the puncture holes when applied to the tissue and to be activated to cause crosslinking of proteins in the tissue when irradiated with a predetermined electromagnetic radiation by the electromagnetic radiation source following a predetermined time period,
 wherein the predetermined electromagnetic radiation is at a wavelength that activates the photochemical agent, causing a protein response that brings fibers through a depth of the tissue closer together in order to one of reduce tissue laxity and tighten the tissue, 
 wherein the predetermined time is selected to enable the photochemical agent to penetrate the depth of the tissue and become distributed adjacent proteins within the tissue, 
 
 wherein the predetermined time period is between about thirty seconds to about five minutes, and 
 wherein the needle is part of a needle array comprising: a head with internal needles extendable from a surface of the head by a button, the head configured to be coupled to a separate handle, wherein the needle is configured to simultaneously inject the photochemical agent through the needle while being pulled from the tissue so that the photochemical agent penetrates a depth of the tissue. 
 
     
     
       2. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the needle includes one of a single needle and a needle array. 
     
     
       3. The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising an applicator to deliver the photochemical agent to the tissue, and wherein the applicator is one of a sponge, a brush, a cotton tip applicator, and a bandage. 
     
     
       4. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the needle array includes multiple needles arranged in one of a plurality of rows, a square pattern, a rectangular pattern, a triangular pattern, or a random distribution pattern. 
     
     
       5. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the needle is one of a hypodermic needle, a solid needle, or a coring needle sized between 19 gauge to 30 gauge. 
     
     
       6. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the photochemical agent is one of Jessner's solution or Trichloroacetic Acid. 
     
     
       7. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the needle is part of a tattoo gun. 
     
     
       8. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to deliver an irradiance of less than about one watt per centimeter squared. 
     
     
       9. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to deliver an irradiance with a wavelength between about 350 nanometers to about 800 nanometers. 
     
     
       10. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the photochemical agent is one of a xanthene, a flavin, a thiazine, a porphyrin, an expanded porphyrin, a chlorophyll, a phenothiazine, a cyanine, a mono azo dye, an azine mono azo dye, a rhodamine dye, a benzophenoxazine dye, an oxazine, an anthroquinone dye, Rose Bengal, erythrosine, riboflavin, methylene blue, Toluidine Blue, Methyl Red, Janus Green B, Rhodamine B base, Nile Blue A, Nile Red, Celestine Blue, Remazol Brilliant Blue R, riboflavin-5-phosphate, or Nhydroxypyridine-2-(I H)-thione. 
     
     
       11. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation source includes at least one of a laser, a lamp, a light-emitting diode, or a light-emitting diode array. 
     
     
       12. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the proteins include at least one of collagen or elastin. 
     
     
       13. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue includes one of skin, epidermis, dermis, fat, fascia, fascial membranes, tendon, epithelium, bladder tissue, bowel, muscle tissue, nervous tissue, circulatory tissue, abdominal tissue, thoracic tissue, colorectal tissue, rectal tissue, intestinal tissue, ovarian tissue, uterine tissue, pericardial tissue, peritoneal tissue, oral tissue, cardiac tissue, breast tissue, vaginal mucosa, superficial facial layers, superficial muscular aponeurotic system, cooper's ligament, orbital septum, or fascia of scarpa. 
     
     
       14. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to deliver irradiation configured to cause a protein response that accomplishes one of a breast tissue lift, a facial tissue lift, vaginal tightening, post liposuction skin tightening, or post bariatric weight loss surgery skin tightening.